Gambia declares 7-day national mourning over Jawara’s passing

Banjul, Gambia (PANA) - President Adama Barrow of the Gambia Wednesday declared a seven-day national mourning period following the passing of the West African nation's first President, Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara. According to the presidency at State House in Banjul, the official mourning period started Tuesday 27th August and lasts up to Monday 2nd September 2019. Similarly, President Barrow has also ordered that during this period the national flag of The Gambia at all State Institutions be lowered at half-mast, a statement from the presidency announced. Meanwhile, Gambia government's spokesperson, Dr. Ebrima Sankareh, also told the state broadcaster, Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS), that former President Jawara would be buried at the National Assembly complex in Banjul on Thursday evening. This, Dr. Sankareh revealed, would be preceded by a state funeral procession after the remains of the former president was laid-in-state at the National Assembly building and the observance of Moslem prayers and rituals to be held at the King Fahad Central Mosque in Banjul. Jawara will be given a befitting burial. He was the first to rule the Gambia and the first President to die in the Gambia, so it will be great and befitting to have him buried in the parliament, Sankareh emphasized. -0- PANA MLJ/VAO 28Aug2019